Story by: Doug Foreman
GALION, OH - If you had visited Heise Park in the afternoon or early evening on the 4th of July, you would have thought you had stepped back in time. The Colonel Crawford Company, sponsored by the Crawford Park District, was there with a small encampment, at the 186 year old log cabin.
Re-enactors gave you a taste of what life was like during the time of when Colonel William Crawford's Expeditionary Force came through here, just prior to the Battle of Sandusky, just Upper Sandusky, and the Battle of Olentangy. The Battle of Sandusky took place just north of Upper Sandusky, which was Crawford County at one time. The Battle of Olentangy had taken place a little over 225 years ago, just east of Parcher Road, a little south of Lower Leesville Road, while being just north of Crestline Road.
The log cabin in Heise Park has a very nice history to it. In 1984 workers began demolition of a building which had stood behind the Galion Public Library for many years. From 1966 to 1984, it housed the Galion Historical Society's museum. But now, due to expansion of the library, the structure was destined for destruction. However, when the wooden clap-board siding was removed, workers discovered an original log house, over 150 years old, lying beneath it. Experts believed the house was built c. 1822, and surmised that it was probably the middle-class home of a tradesman or merchant. It served as Galion's first public library from 1901 to 1904, when the current library was dedicated. Once again, the structure became a house. It also served as a schoolhouse for a time. Citizens of the community wanted the house to be preserved. So, with the help of experts, the structure was dismantled, moved and rebuilt at it's current location in Heise Park.
What really amazed me was the number of traveling folks, who visited the encampment were from other States, like Texas, South Carolina, and Maryland. Local residents were not around when I did this report, which added to my amazement, due to our County's rich history heritage.
The soldiers and militiamen had their muskets and rifles, and several times during the time I was there, they would load, and fire their weapons.
Folks were able to try various games played during the time. Some of the games were courting games, while others were simply for amusement.
